Chapter 3

The next morning, I printed my resignation letter. Innovatech. I'd poured two years of my life into this place, learning the tech business from the ground up, putting my art curating aspirations on hold. All to support Ethan. I'd even turned down a prestigious fellowship at the Met after college because he'd asked me to come to California with him, to be part of his "journey."

I remembered his excuses for not wanting to get married sooner, "Let's wait until the company is stable, Ava." Or, "I want to give you the wedding you deserve." All lies. He was waiting for Isabella. My family's wealth, my connections, I'd kept them hidden, wanting him to succeed on his own, wanting to be loved for myself, not for what I could provide. What a fool I'd been.

My colleague, Sarah, saw me by the printer, resignation letter in hand. "Ava? You're leaving? But Ethan was just saying you're up for Head of Product Development! That's amazing!"

I managed a weak smile. "Something better came up. A new direction."

Sarah's face fell slightly. "Oh. Well, congrats, I guess. Though, wow, timing. Did you hear? Ethan and Isabella Rossi are official. She was here earlier, absolutely glowing. They make such a power couple, don't they?"

Another stab, though I was growing numb. I checked my phone. Ethan had blocked me on all his social media. Deleted. Erased.

A company-wide meeting was called an hour later. Ethan stood at the front, beaming. Isabella was beside him, looking radiant.

"Team," Ethan announced, his voice full of false enthusiasm, "I have some wonderful news. Firstly, please join me in congratulating Isabella Rossi, who has just agreed to be my fiancée!"

Polite applause. I stood at the back, my resignation letter clutched in my hand.

"And," he continued, "I'm thrilled to announce Isabella will also be joining Innovatech as our new Head of Product Development!"

Sarah shot me a confused, pitying look. So this was it. The ultimate humiliation. He hadn't just replaced me in his life, but in my career too.

I remained silent, my face a mask. Ethan's eyes found mine in the crowd. He gestured for me to come forward. "Ava, come say hello to your new boss."

Isabella extended a perfectly manicured hand, her smile dripping with saccharine sweetness. "Ava, darling. Ethan has told me so much about you. I look forward to working together."

Ethan put his arm around Isabella, pulling her slightly away from me. "Actually, Ava was just about to hand in her notice. Personal reasons, she says." He gave me a look that dared me to contradict him. "Pity. She could have learned a lot from you, Isabella."

I felt like a clown in a tragic circus, the spotlight burning into me as they walked away, a golden couple.

Sarah whispered beside me, "That was brutal. And did you see that diamond necklace on Isabella? Must have cost a fortune. He never bought you anything like that."

I just nodded. It didn't matter anymore. This was just confirmation.

I walked to Ethan's office later, the resignation letter in my hand. He was on a call, laughing. I knocked.

He looked up, his expression turning cold when he saw me. "What?"

I placed the letter on his polished desk.

He glanced at it, his face darkening. He picked it up, read it, then crumpled it, his eyes fixing me with a contemptuous stare. "A meltdown, Ava? Really? After all I've done for you?" He threw the crumpled ball of paper at me.

I dodged it easily and stooped to pick it up, smoothing it out. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

"Isabella is ten times more qualified for that role than you ever were," he sneered. "She has real-world experience, not just some fancy art degree you've been hiding."

I just looked at him. "I'm resigning, Ethan. Effective immediately." My voice was calm, but inside, I remembered every late night I'd worked, every investor pitch I'd helped him perfect, every sacrifice.

"Fine," he spat. "You think you're too good to work under Isabella? You'll be reporting to her. That's final. Or you can get out."

"I am getting out," I said, my voice firm. I would not be his subordinate, not in work, not in life. I would not be a footnote in his story with Isabella.

He stood up, his face red with anger. "You'll regret this, Ava. Don't think you can just walk away and find something better. I'll make sure of it."

I turned and left his office, his threats echoing behind me. My path was clear now. New York. Liam. A life where I wasn't an afterthought.